Ruin Runner

[Toneh]

“Stop hurting.” Ira hissed as he limped. His prosthetic leg was little more then a jump of wood mounted to a padded cup that fit around what was left of his stump of a leg. It was then fitted into what was left of his old boot and literally held to his armor by a series of improvised leather straps and hooks. It was a poor excuse for what was once a fine leg.

Today it was hurting him, he had not taken it easy on the mangled leg and it was healing poorly in light of the trials he had been through over the past few weeks. He still remained diligent. Gabriel and the rest of the townies looked at him with pity, but this was no surprise. They were outsiders, they were not his people.

His re-breather hissed, and his gloved hands gripped his battered rifle tightly as he slowly made his way down the center of the canyon that lay at the feet of New Zion. The crisp cool night air was an unwelcome part of this world, but even more unwelcoming was what Ira could see through his goggles that glowed ghastly orange as he scanned the rocky ravine for his quarry.

He could see eight pairs of eyes vanishing in and out of the dull rocky out cropping. He could hear the ticking of claws slapping rocks all around him. Savage beasts, the townies of New Zion called them Briar Wolves. Briar Wolves were vicious little squat creatures the size of dogs, but with thick scales on their backs for protection, and razor sharp claws capable of disemboweling a full grown man in a single swipe. This particular pack had gotten daring and managed to kill on of the families that resided in the town. Ira saw fit to see if they were up to the task of taking him. Or at least so Ira believed. The towns folk attested it was a demon who had slain the family, Ira of course knew better. He knew it was a simple animal that had done it, and these little beasts had followed in its wake shortly after it had left.

Ira halted, and braced his body. “C’mon..” He snarled. One of the animals leapt from amidst the rocks to Ira left flank in an attempt to pounce him. Ira reacted reflexively, and sent his left elbow into the animal’s face. “CHIIIYIIII!” The animal howled as it struck the ground.

[Kings Anointed]

"Damn these creatures to Hell..." Gabriel muttered under his breath watching Ira and picked up his repeater rifle firing at one of them coming from Ira's blind spot. He made sure to keep his sharp stick ready in case of missing his target. However when he saw his bullets connect with the vulnerable areas where it's armor didn't cover he heard a pained yelp escape it's mouth as it died. Gabriel spoke, "You need cover for your blind spots Ira." Then took aim at another creature picking it off as it tried to get Ira from behind. He then took his sharp stick and stuck it in to the creature's gullet making sure it was dead. He then turned to the other he shot down and did the same. "So can we eat these things?"